Canned liquid dispenser



E. A. LA DOW CANNED LIQUID DISPENSER Jan. 9, 1951 Filed April 25,V 1947Q6 l'mventor Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE` CANNEDLIQUID DISPENSER.

Everett A. La Dow, Detroit, Mich. Application April 23, 1947, Serial No.743,232

(Cl. Z22-83.5)

6 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing devices and in particular to cannedliquid dispensers.

One object of this invention is to provide a canned liquid dispenserwhich will receive, hold and conceal a can of liquid and which hasselfcontained mechanism therein for piercing the can and releasing itscontents.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser having a tubularbody for receiving the can and a top unit on the body containing onepiercing device for admitting air to the can and another piercing devicefor providing a conduit which communicates with a spout for pouring outthe contents of the can.

lAnother object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser having a tubularbody for receiving the can and a top unit with a piercing mechanismwhich seals itself tightly with the edges of the opening which itcreates, thereby preventing leakage of the liquid around the opening andaccordingly providing a more sanitary dispenser than hitherto.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser, as set forth inthe preceding objects, wherein the top unit is removable from thetubular body by a quickly detachable connection so that the dispenser isquickly and easily cleaned.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser, as set forth inthe preceding objects, wherein the piercing devices are operated bymechanism connected to the handle by which the dispenser is subsequentlyheld for pouring out the contents of the can, the closing motion of thehandle operating the two piercing devices.

Another object is to provide a canned liquid dispenser, as set forth inthe preceding objects, wherein the tubular piercing device for enteringthe can and pouring out the liquid is a pointed member with an angledcutting edge which reaches its maximum diameter at its point of finalentry into the can cover, thereby providing a hinge connection for thenap detached from the can cover to fold downward upon without causingtearing of the can cover material and hence providing a tight sealaround the piercing device.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a canned liquiddispensing device, according to a preferred form of the invention, withthe piercing mechanism about to be operated to enter the can cover;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the top of the dispensingdevice of Figure 1, with the top wall removed;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary central vertical section similar toFigure 1,but showing the position of the piercing devices after they have enteredthe can cover and the liquid is ready to be poured out of the can;

Figure 4 is an enlarged central Vertical section through the lower walland one of the detent devices for holding the can in the dispenser;

Figure 5 is a vertical section along the line `5-5 in Figure 2, showingthe quickly detachable pin and slot connection between the top unit andthe tubular body of the dispenser;

Figure 6 is a vertical section along the line B Gin Figure 1, showingthe hollow piercing device for pouring out the liquid;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the can showingthe aperture and folded flap made by the hollow piercing device in thecan cover; and

Figure 8 is a cross-section through a modified can-piercing plunger ofapproximately semicircular or semi-elliptical cross-section. Referringto the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show a canned liquiddispenser, generally designated IIJ, according to a preferred form ofthe invention, with a can Il containing the liquid to be dispensed inposition prior to its being pierced. The dispenser lo includes a tubularbody unit and a top unit generally designated I2 and I3 respectively,detachably secured thereto and containing the piercing mechanism andpouring spout.

The body unit I2 is tubular to conform to the shape of the can II, andcontains a bore I4 for receiving the can I I. The bore M is cylindrie-alin shape to receive a cylindrical can Il, but may also be of rectangularcross-section to receive a can of like shape. In order to retain the canwithin the bore I4, the lower rim I5 of the body unit I2 is providedwith a plurality of transverse substantially radial bores I5 (Figures land 4) containing detents generally designated I l. Each detent Ilconsists of a tubular casing I 8 containing a reciprocable rod I9 havinga head 29 on the inner end and a handle 2| secured as at 22 to the rodI9. A coil spring 23 mounted within the casing I8 between the outer endwall 24 thereof and the head 20 urges the latter into a positionprojecting into thebore I4. The head 20 is provided with an angled end25 to cause the head 20 to yield automatically when the can II isinserted, yet to spring back into position with its upper surface 26beneath the bottom 2l of the can Il after the latter has passed; TheVhead 2li is grooved as at 28 toreceive a lip or projection` 29 from thecasing I8, this serving as a key for preventing rotation of the head 2l)in the reduced diameter counterbore 3i) forming a continuation of thebore l5.

Adjacent the rim i5 near the lower edge oi the body unit l2 a springclamp 3l (Figure l) is mounted and secured thereto by the screw 32 inthe threaded hole 33. The spring clamp 3| is provided with a U-shapedbent portion 3d forming a recess shaped to receive the lower end 35 of aswinging handle 3E. The upper portion of the handle 36 is provided withspaced parallel arms 3l (Figure 2) which pass on opposite sides of a lug35 and are pivoted thereto by a pivot pin 59 passing through both arms37 and the lug 33. The lug 38 projects upward from a disc-like plate 40,the edge portions 4! of which engage a ange 42 on the upper end of thebody unit I2. The upper side of the edge portion 4I is in turn engagedby the ange portion 43 of a cup-like cover 44 having a hole 45 in theside wall thereof for the passage of the handle 33. Headed pins 43(Figure 5) seated in sockets 4'1 in the rim portion 42 pass throughkeyhole slots 48, thereby forming a quickly detachable connectionbetween the top unit I3 and body unit I2 (Figures 2 and 5). The cover 44is secured to the plate 4D by means of screws 43 passing through the rimportion 43 of the cap 44 into the edge portion 4I of the plate 4l)(Figure 2).

The ends of the arms 31 are bent toward one another (Figure 2) and arejoined by a pivot pin 59 which passes through elongated slots 5l and 52in the adjacent ends of rocking levers 53 and 54 respectively. Thelevers 53 and 54 are mounted upon lugs 55 and 55 by means of pivot pins5'! and 53 respectively passing therethrough.

The opposite end of the rocking lever 53 is provided with an elongatedslot 59V engaging a pin 53 mounted in the bifurcated upper end BI of asolid piercing plunger 62. The latter reciprocates vertically through abore 63 in a lug 64 projecting upward from plate 40 (Figures l and 3).The lower end of the piercing plunger 52 is provided with a conicalpoint 55 above which is a reduced diameter neck portion 53.

The outer end of the rocking lever 54 is slotted as at 3'! to receive apin 53 passing through the bifurcated upper end 59 (Figure 6)' of ahollow piercing plunger l0. The latter is preferably of triangular crosssection (Figure 2) and reciprocates vertically in a triangular bore 'Hformed in a lug 'i2 projecting upward from the plate 45. The hollowpiercing plunger 'lil is provided with an l.-sliapedV passageway 13which extends from the inclined or oblique lower end T4 thereof upwardand outward through the side wall of plunger l5. It will be observedthat the point 'l5 of the plunger l5 which rst enters the can il isopposite the side "i3 of the maximum width of the plunger li). rThe side'I3 enters the cover l? of the can il at the very end of the piercingoperation, preventing tearing in the manner explained in connection withthe operation. The side wall of the lug 72 is provided with a bore 'i8which receives the inner end of an upwardly bent pouring spout 'I9 whichpasses outward through a bore 85 in the cover 44. The spout i9 containsa passageway 8l for the passage of the liquid to be poured.

It will be observed from Figure 6 that the intermediate portion of thehollow piercing plunger F3 is slightly tapered as at 82 as it approachesthe oblique lower end i4, thereby enhancing the seal between it and thecan cover which it pierces. The latter is also provided with inclinedcutting edges 83 converging toward a junction with the vertical edge atthe point l5. While a triangular cross-section is preferred for thepiercing plunger i3, a semi-circular cross-section may optionally beused, if desired.

Operation In the operation of the dispenser I3, the handle 35 is pulledoutward and upward into its solid line position (Figure l) with itslower end 35 detached from the recess 34 in the spring clamp 3|. Thisaction raises the piercing plungers 62 and 'i3 to the tops of theirstrokes. The can Il is then inserted through the mouth 35 of the bore i4and pushed upward, the cover thereof engaging the inclined ends 25 ofthe detent Il and pushing them aside. The detents Il snap back beneaththe bottom 2l of the can when the latter is in position (Figure l).Since the dispenser I3 is preferably designed to receive a standard sizeof can, such as a condensed milk can, the bore I4 from the lower surface81 of the plate 43 to the top edge 23 of the detent head 2G will have alength substantially equal to the height of such a can.

With the can l I in position within the bore I4 and held by the detentsIl, the handle 33 is pushed sharply downward and inward with one handwhile the body unit l2 is held by the other h and. ,AsV the handle 35moves into the dotted line position shown in Figure l and its lower end35 snaps into the recess 34 of the spring clamp 3l, the inner ends ofthe rocking levers 53 and 54 are swung upward into their dotted linepositions (Figure l) forcing the piercing plungers 62 and l) downward intheirv bores 53 and 7i, piercing the cover TE of the can Il. Thepiercing plunger 62 forms a hole 88 of substantially the same diameteras the conical point of the plunger, and the latter comes to rest in theposition shown in Figure 3 with the neck portion. 53 within the hole 88.This forms an annular air space between the neck 63 and hole 88 for theair g to enter as the liquid is withdrawn.

Simultaneously with the downward motion of the solid piercing plunger32, the hollow piercing plunger l5 also moves downward and pierces thecover 'il of the can ll. As the plunger 'i3 moves downward from theposition shown in' Figure 1 to that of Figure 3, the point 'I5 andinclined cutting edges 83 of the lower end 'i4 cut out a triangular hole53 in the can cover 'il (Figure '7) bending downward the triangular flap3.) thereby produced (Figure 3) When the piercing plunger l5 has fullyentered the can Il (Figure 3), the side l5 of maximum width has enteredthe can cover ll and the tapered intermediate portion has graduallyenlarged the hole just before coming to a halt, enhancing the sealaround it. As a consequence, the triangular flap 9) hinges at its upperedge 5l of maximum width (Figure '7).

This construction prevents tearing of the ap 3@ or can cover il landinsures a snug fit between thev aperture 83 and the hollow piercingplunger it. This in turn prevents leakage of the contents oi the can l iand hence provides a sanitary construction. InY prior constructions,where a piercing plunger of circular cross-section has been employed, orwhere a plunger of greater than semi-circular cross-section has beenemployed, a tearing of the cover 'Il of the cani] has.

occurred by reason of the fact that the flap thereby detached `does nothinge at its point of. maximum width. 1n such prior constructions,

5` therefore, leakage occurred in the gap formed by the tear, therebycausing the liquid to soil the interior of the dispenser Il), withunsanitary results.

With the parts moved into their positions shown in Figure 3, theL-shaped passageway 'E3 in the piercing plunger 'Ill lines up with thebore 8| in the pouring spout 79 and the lower end 35 of the handle 36snaps into the recess 34 in the spring clamp 3l, holding the handle 36securely in its dotted line position (Figure 1). The user now lifts thedispenser I by means of the handle 35, tilting it forward and downwardto pour out the liquid from the can II through the passageway 73 and,bore SI in the piercing plunger 'ID and spout 'I9 respectively. At thesame time, air rushes in through the annular space around the neck 66(Figure 3) replacing the liquid poured out.

When the can II is empty, the operator pulls the handle 36 upward to itssolid-line position of Figure 1, retracting the plungers t2 and lll. Hethen grasps the heads 2| of the detents Ii in the fingers of his twohands and pulls them outward in opposite directions, whereupon the can II falls out of the bore I4 through the mouth 36 thereof. The device isthen ready for the insertion of another can. To clean the top unit I3,the operator grasps the cover 44 and rotates it in a counterclockwisedirection (Figure 2) until the heads of the pins 46 move into alignmentwith the enlargement of the keyhole slots 48. The top unit I3 may thenbe lifted olf the body unit I2 and cleaned by passing a cloth over thesurface 81 and by running a liquid through the passageway i3 and bore 8lwith the two moved into alignment (Figure 3) by pressing the handle 36downward.

The modied hollow piercing-plunger 5I shown in Figure 8 is similar inpurpose to the plunger 'lll shown in Figure l and likewise resembles thelatter in longitudinal section as in Figure l. The plunger 9! is,however, of approximately semicircular or semi-elliptical cross-section,having an arcuate side wall 92 and a flat side wall Q3 at the maximumwidth of the plunger. The side 93 thus forms a diameter of thecross-sectioneither the diameter of a semi-circle or the minor diameterof an ellipse. The plunger SI is provided with a passageway 94 similarto the passageway i3, and likewise with an inclined or oblique lowerend. The operation of the medihcation shown in Figure 8 is similar tothat of the principal form of the invention, and similarly accomplishesthe cutting out of a flap from the top of the can, bending it downwardwithout tearing it since the rear wall 93 of the plunger is its maximumwidth in cross-section.

What I claim is:

1. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receivingrecess therein and Y a top member closing the upper end of said recess,said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed borespositioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercingplunger reciprocably mounted in each oi said bores, one of said plungersbeing hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movableplunger-operating element mounted on said top member, and mechanism onsaid top member operatively interconnecting said element and saidplungers and responsive to the motion of said element for simultaneouslyurging said plungers downward relatively to said top member intopiercing engagement with the cover of said can.

2. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receivingrecess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess,said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed borespositioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercingplunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungersbeing hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movableplungeroperating element comprising a handle pivotally mounted on saidtop member, and mechanism on said top member operatively interconnectingsaid element and said plungers and responsive to the motion of saidelement for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively tosaid top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

3. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receivingrecess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess,said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed borespositioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercingplunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one or said plungersbeing hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movableplungeroperating element comprising a handle extending downward alongsaid casing and having its upper portion pivotally mounted on said topmember, and mechanism on said top member operatively interconnectingsaid element and said plungers and responsive to the motion of saidelement for simultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively tosaid top member into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

e. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receivingrecess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess,said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed borespositioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercingplunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungersbeing hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movableplungeroperating element comprising a handle pivotally mounted on saidtop member, and rocking levers on said top member operativelyinterconnecting said handle and said plungers and responsive to themotion of said handle for simultaneously urging said plungers downwardrelatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover ofsaid can.

5. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receivingrecess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess,said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed borespositioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-cover-piercingplunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungersbeing hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a movableplungeroperating element comprising a handle extending downward alongsaid casing and having its upper portion pivotally mounted on said topmember, and rocking levers on said top member operativelyinterconnecting said handle and said plungers and responsive to themotion of said handle for simultaneously urging said plungers downwardrelatively to said top member into piercing engagement with the cover ofsaid can.

6. A canned liquid dispenser, comprising a casing having a can-receivingrecess therein and a top member closing the upper end of said recess,said top member having a pair of spaced longitudinally-directed borespositioned at opposite sides of said recess, a can-.cover-piercingplunger reciprocably mounted in each of said bores, one of said plungersbeing hollow and having a liquid passageway therethrough, a tubularspout mounted on said top member and communicating with said hollowplunger passageway in the canpiercing position of said hollow plunger, amovable plunger-operating element mounted on said top member, andmechanism on said top member operatively interconnecting said elementand said plungers and responsive to the motion of said element forsimultaneously urging said plungers downward relatively to said topmember into piercing engagement with the cover of said can.

EVERETT A. LA DOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

